Peripheral neuropathy Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right hand disorder, including peripheral neuropathy as secondary to shell fragment wounds and/or in-service herbicide exposure, is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has residuals of shrapnel injury to the right upper extremity which includes neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 5, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 90 percent, with service-connected disabilities that do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational experience and educational background.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities or erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected diabetes type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is service connected as due to exposure to Agent Orange, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold percentage requirement to establish eligibility for TDIU, but his unemployability due to PTSD and peripheral neuropathy is being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unemployable.

The Veteran's heart disorder, including hypertension, is service-connected as due to herbicide exposure.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, is also service-connected as due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing this issue as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, including the nonunion fracture of the scaphoid and associated sensory neuropathy, has been rated at 30 percent since June 16, 2012. The rating is based on ankylosis of the minor wrist in a position unfavorable to motion.

The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent since December 2, 2009. The Veteran's limitation of flexion and impairment of supination and/or pronation of the forearm are both rated at their maximum schedular ratings of 30 percent each. The Veteran's recurrent laryngeal papilloma is currently rated as 30 percent disabling since February 29, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his diabetes and related conditions, rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board found that these disabilities alone were sufficient to meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that there is no competent evidence to establish the presence of a current neurological disability in the Veteran's legs, and thus service connection for neuropathy cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the claims of cervical spine disability, right ulnar neuropathy, and residuals of a right hand injury have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal for these issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is presumed service-connected due to herbicide exposure in the Republic of Vietnam. The Board has granted this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disability, and hypertension are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under applicable regulations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing as requested. The claims of service connection will be further evaluated after the hearing.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities was not incurred in or aggravated by service, including presumptively based on herbicide exposure. Service connection is denied.